Recent content by DieselPete

One thing that I believe was mentioned in this thread is that there are no Americans playing in Austria this week. I did look and confirmed that I don't see any American flags. Then I wondered, how high would you have to finish to guarantee that it is a profitable trip, and is the risk worth...

Damn, I'd love to have my kid be able to beat me, and I'd be even happier if she could really give me a beat down! (Maybe I have a weak mindset, and that's why I'm not a 700!)

Great post! Thanks for the detailed information. Not to lament the state of American pool too much... BUT... I think of the solid young players that I see (none of whom are as young as the kids in the photo you shared) and I ask, "Who is coaching that kid?" The answer is typically "Nobody."...

Agreed, and I'd go a step farther. I would say that Fargo is weak at comparing across generations. I think that comparing one year to the next is fine (largely the same ecosystem of data), but once we are looking at ten years apart... I have no faith. To continue the example, SVB in 2015 was...

Unfortunately, no. You simply would not have enough archived data to build an accurate ecosystem of play, going from the top pros down to the 400s and 500s-level players. While we might be able to piece together some data for a top player (which would be painstaking) it would be almost...

I think it is more accurate than you are giving it credit for being. Fargo rates players within an ecosystem, based on wins and losses of games. It does not care if they can pocket balls, play safe or kick, or anything else. The only data is "who won." Then, it builds from there on "who did...

OK... I just finished my first league season in a long, long time. It is a BCA League. I play in local tournaments. 9 Foot Diamonds, 4.5 inch pockets (a few are 4.25, mostly for one pocket and action sets) Wood, with a low deflection shaft Pechauer cue and jump cue. Break cue is junk...

Actually, at the league and local tournament level, that sometimes is a rule that is in place to prevent or limit sharking. The enforcement is that if an opponent is at the table and you start to disassemble equipment, you have conceded immediately. That likely is not a rule in bigger events...

Ratchet is the perfect word for it, to me. I only modestly enjoy the Mosconi Cup, and it is largely because I think pool needs the format (like golf's Ryder and President Cups), but the drunken, loud, rude behavior (those are my opinions, to which I am entitled) just don't do it for me to make...

In the context of trying to distraction basketball players while shooting free throws, there are some studies and I think they do apply to taking a shot in pool. One of the better-known discussions around this involved neuroscience writer Daniel Engber. The basic finding was that sudden...

Yeah, I should have made that clear. In taking the "over 11 days to break and run," I was saying you play the cue ball as it lies after the break. I would assume there would be several days with no shot to even hit the one directly, and a scratch on the break as well.

It was a good match, and Wei deserves a lot of credit for coming back from 2-5 down and blitzing off the next many racks (at least 6 in a row, right?). She was very composed.

OK, I think that a lot of us would have a break and run in ONE day if we are actually breaking and trying to run out, over and over, and only have to do it one time. But if the goal, as I assume it is, is to say, "I will break and run THIS RACK, and this is my ONLY attempt today," then it could...

Right?! Learning how to share a video that plays at the right spot made this thread worth it! LOL

Well... I don't know that the movement caused the miss, but it certainly was disrespectful and inattentive. I'm also pretty sure that she is anything but doomed to failure. Regarding your third paragraph; I think most of us can play in a quiet, respectful tournament environment. ...and in a...